Sergio Ramos is far from finished - and he will return to the Spanish national team if he keeps his good shape

National team should be made up the very best players a country has to offer - regardless of their age. If you're good enough, if you're ready and willing - you're in! That is the reasoning of the newly-appointed Spain national coach Luis de la Fuente. He said the door is open for veteran centre-back Sergio Ramos to return to the La Roja squad after being overlooked for the 2022 World Cup.

Ramos had been tipped to earn a spot in Qatar due to his form for PSG. However, the 36-year-old was ultimately left out, and Luis Enrique bafflingly used Manchester City midfielder Rodri as a central defender during the competition, which saw Spain knocked out in the round of 16 by Morocco. De la Fuente won't try to reinvent the wheel but rather use players in their best positions.

"I count on the youngsters, but I am also a fan of the veterans who have done great things. Sergio Busquets is the living history of football. If Sergio Ramos is in good shape, he can come too."

De la Fuente also insisted that he is the right person to lead Spain, having won the European Championship for the national side's Under-19s and Under-21s, in addition to securing a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics.

"I was a professional footballer for 15 years. I have won titles. I have coached at the international level in all age categories except the senior one. With all my humility and honesty, if there is someone who knows what the future of Spanish football is, it is me. You know who takes the reins of this team."